Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Pearson frustrated as he questions reason for failing to send off Bennett in Bristol City draw

Nigel Pearson has bemoaned the two key decisions that went against his side but admitted he feels frustrated having failed to hang onto another lead.

The Robins went ahead for the third time in the league this season when Andi Weimann made it four goals in four matches having latched onto Tommy Conway's cross after just six minutes.

However, the opening 45 minutes came down to two major talking points. The first came when Conway was denied a penalty when he was bundled down in the box after bearing down on goal before Joe Bennett arguably should have seen a red card when he kicked out at midfielder Joe Williams.

The referee showed Bennett a yellow, much to the dismay of the City bench, before the left-back was replaced at half-time to ensure he wasn't handed his marching orders.

"Apparently, and I'll wait until I see the report, apparently what the officials said it was for petulance rather than aggression so make of that what you will. I don't really understand that. But we'll see what happens.

"I can't justify their decisions. And this is why it's important for everyone and referees themselves that there's greater transparency and accountability.

"You know my feelings on what should happen. This is a rugby venue as well and I think the way of dealing with situations like that is to get everyone involved so we can hear what happens. I think that would be good for everybody. I don't make those decisions.

"Listen, there are two real talking points in the first half. I'm not going to get drawn on. I'm a bit tired of having to... we should be talking about the football of both sides, not the decision-making."

City headed into half-time ahead and relatively comfortable but they were on the back foot for large periods of the second half with the hosts rarely testing Dan Bentley in the visitor's goal.

Their resolve was finally broken in the 72nd minute when City failed to deal with a corner from the left side before Will Keane bundled the ball into the net from close range.

Moments later Conway should have headed City ahead but he somehow steered Mark Sykes' terrific delivery wide of the left post before the Robins clung on to a hard-fought point in scorching conditions.

However, that's three times in the league where City have failed to hang onto the lead and Pearson was left frustrated despite getting the first point on the board.

He added: "We've had some good chances, we've been in a winning position again and we've been in a winning position in every game this season so it's frustrating.

"After they equalised we had a golden opportunity straight away. Although they put us under a lot of pressure, it wasn't a heart-in-the-mouth afternoon for sure.

"I think it's still a frustration that we didn't convert another winning opportunity. But having said that, I also give credit to opponents and you can see how they've achieved success because they're a solid side who commit very much to how they want to play so fair play to them.

"I don't have a problem with that. For us, it's more of a frustration that so far in every game we've played, we've been in a winning position so it remains a frustration but we'll deal with it."

SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.